COVID-19 FAQs
Answered by Colville Tribal Health and Human Services Division Director
Dr. Daniel Barbara
As of September 1, our numbers seem to be trending downward. What does this mean for the community?
Over the past couple of weeks the numbers of new cases and cases in quarantine on the reservation have trended down and over the last week or so have remained at a plateau point with only a relative few active cases. This is the result of really hard work and difficult decisions on the part of the membership. Social distancing is very hard and very stressful, but we are seeing the results. What this means for the community is that the families and elders are safer and will remain so as long as we continue our efforts to protect the community and prevent spread. Unfortunately, the science tells us that COVID-19 is likely to be with us for a while yet, and we will have to continue to be cautious, implementing many social distancing and other changes to normal community life in order to continue to protect the many families and elders over the course of the coming months. We will be able to measure success by further downward trends in the number of cases, and as we reach a point where we are seeing no or few new cases, Tribal, State, and Federal officials will be able to look at safely reducing restrictions while continuing to protect people from COVID-19.
When should people be tested for COVID-19?
You should see your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (usually we say three or more symptoms), and you and your healthcare provider should decide whether or not, based upon your risk factors, you should be tested. For the most part, healthcare providers are being very careful and are referring everyone who has symptoms to testing. If you do have symptoms, you should self-quarantine until your results are in, and you should stay home and stay away from others if you sick, even if your results are negative for COVID-19. If you believe that you were in close contact (usually within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer), then you should also be tested, and this is the advice that our contact tracers will share with close contacts of people who test positive for COVID-19. This especially includes anyone living in a household with a positive patient. Remember that Flu season is right around the corner, and the Flu and COVID-19 have many similar symptoms. The flu is also equally dangerous to many people, so it’s even more important to get your flu vaccine this year.
What is contact tracing and do we have contact tracing on the Colville Reservation?
Contact tracing is the process that happens when our office (HHS) or the county health departments are notified that a person is positive for COVID-19. Our contact tracers reach out to the patient to find out who they may have been in contact with and where they traveled in order to pin down where they may have contracted COVID-19 and who may have been exposed by being in contact with them. It is very important that the people we contact help as much as possible during this process in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Some people call this an investigation, but I don’t like that word, because it sounds like our contact tracers are trying to find out who did something wrong, when our only job is to work WITH the community to stop the spread by helping people to take the precautions they need to take to protect themselves and their community.
From the cases on the reservation, are we seeing any trends about where people are becoming infected with COVID-19?
Presently there are no significant outbreaks of COVID-19 in any specific community or area, but it has become very clear that we see trends and increases in COVID-19 cases when large gatherings occur, especially when social distancing is not practiced. Large gatherings on or near the reservation have resulted in some of the most significant increases (short term trends) we’ve seen. The best way to maintain our current downward trend is by continuing to practice social distancing, not gathering in groups of 10 or more and wearing masks when in public, especially when social distance cannot be maintained.
Aug 18, 2021, Delta Variant COVID-19 Memo update PDF
COVID-19 Archive 2020
September
September 9 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
September 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
September 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
September 2 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
September 1 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August
August 31 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 29 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 28 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 27 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 26 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 25 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 24 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily Update. Read more here.
August 23 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 22 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 18 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 17 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 14 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 13 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 12 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 11 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 10 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 8 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 7 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 6 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 5 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
August 1 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 13 - Lake Roosevelt clinics, Colville Service Unit clinics to start random testing. Read more here.
June 4 - The Colville Tribal Courts issues announces return to normal hours, with precautions. Read more here.
June 4 - Colville Business Council Chair Rodney Cawston issues statement on attending protests PDF.
May 28 - Colville Business Council extends partial government shutdown through June 26. Read more here.
May 5 - Convalescent Center invites community to Mother’s Day parade by facility. Read more here.
May 5 - CTFW announces changes to 2020 Archery Proficiency Tests. Read article here.
May 4 - 12 Tribes Colville Casinos plan on reopening, May 19. Read more here.
May 1 - Colville Business Council extends partial government shutdown, non-tribal fishing and other public safety measures through May 29. Read.
July
July 31 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 30 - Colville Incident Management Team Release update. Read more here.
July 29 - Colville Incident Management Team Release update. Read more here.
July 28 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 27 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 24 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 23 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 22 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 21 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 20 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 18 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 17 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 16 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 15 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 14 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here
July 13 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here
July 12 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here
July 11 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 10 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 9 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 8 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 7 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 6 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 5 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
July 2 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June
June 17 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 16 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 15 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 14 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 13 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 12 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 11 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 10 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 9 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 8 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 7 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 5 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 2 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
June 1 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May
May 30 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 29 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 28 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 27 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 26 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 25 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 24 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 23 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 22 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 21 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 20 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 19 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 18 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 17 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 16 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
May 15 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 14 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 13 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 12 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 11 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 10 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 9 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 8 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 7 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 6 - Colville Incident Management Team Release Daily update. Read more here.
May 5 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
May 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
May 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
May 2 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
May 1 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April
April 30 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 29 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 28 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 27 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 26 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 25 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 24 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 23 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 22 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 21 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 20 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 21 - Colville Business Council issues a letter to tribal membership concerning layoffs in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
April 16 - DSHS starts Disaster Cash Assistance Program. Read more here.
April 15 - 12 Tribes Colville Casinos provides meals to tribal health care providers. Read more here.
April 14 - IRS offers new method to receive stimulus. Read more here.
April 10 - Colville Tribes urges citizens to follow quarantine orders. Read release here.
April 8 - EOC, AAoA continue to provide services to elders through crisis. Read more here.
April 6 - Colville Indian Housing Authority provides rent relief in April, May. Read more here.
April 4 - Colville Tribal EOC encourages tribal members to keep a journal. Read more here.
April 1 - Colville Tribal Executive Director Francis Somday writes a letter to tribal employees. Read more here.
April 1 - Public Health confirms one case of COVID-19 on Colville Reservation. Read more here.
April 1 - 12 Tribes Colville Casinos temporarily close through April 30. Read the press release here.
April 19 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 18 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 17 - GCDSD Superintendent Paul Turner issues letter: “Seniors, school is not over!!” Read more here.
April 17 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 16 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 15 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 14 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 14 - IRS offers new method to receive stimulus checks Link
April 13 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 12 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 11 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 10 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 9 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues update, asking for community’s help. Read more here.
April 9 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 8 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 7 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues update, asking for community’s help. Read more here.
April 7 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 6 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues update concerning remainder of the year. Read it here.
April 6 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 5 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 4 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 3 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 2 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
April 1 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues letter related to COVID-19 in community. Read here.
April 1 - Nespelem Superintendent issues letter on meal deliveries. Read more here.
April 1 - Colville Incident Management Team Releases Daily update. Read more here.
March
March 31 - Colville Tribal Court issues updated scheduled for partial shutdown, April 1-30. Read more here.
March 31 - MTFC announces there will be no UAs, pack tests or refresher courses today. Read here.
March 31 - Colville Tribal Fish and Wildlife announces closure of non-tribal fishing on reservation. Read more here.
March 31 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 30 - Tribal Recycling announces new hours during partial shutdown. Read more here.
March 30 - Administration releases Continuity of Operations lists. Read more here.
March 30 - The Colville Tribes Extends Its Partial Government Shutdown and Shuts Down All Non-Essential Businesses on the Colville Reservation. Read more here.
March 30 - By resolution the Colville Business Council mandated a continued partial shutdown of Tribal operations through April 30, 2020 PDF; Tribal Continuity Of Operations | Operations program listing March 30, 2020 PDF
March 30 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 29 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 28 - Incident Management Team, Colville Service Unit host Drive-Thru Assessment. Second assessment to be held April 2. Read more here.
March 28 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 27 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 26 - GCDSD meal deliveries to change, Monday. Read the announcement here.
March 26 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 25 - The Colville Business Council has issued this letter to the tribal membership. Read here.
March 25 - Colville Tribes close the reservation to non-essential traffic. Read more here.
Colville Business Council Press Release Link.
March 25 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 25 - CBC, Incident Management team, Colville Service unit to open Drive Thru Assessment, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more here.
March 25 - Colville Tribal Incident Management: Ferry County has a reported case of COVID-19. Read more here.
March 24 - Colville Tribal Public Health Officer Alison J. Ball writes a public letter to the tribal membership. Read more here.
March 24 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 24 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues an update. Read it here.
March 23 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 23 - Colville Tribes Prohibits Public Gatherings on the Colville Reservation. Read more here.
Colville Business Council Press Release Link.
March 22 - Colville Tribal EOC releases a daily update. Read more here.
March 20 - Lake Roosevelt Community Health Centers releases a letter to their patients. Read it here.
March 20 - The Colville Tribal EMS remains available to provide emergency services. Read more here.
March 20 - The Colville Tribes has issued a statement to dispel rumors of martial law. Read more here. Colville Business Council Press Release Link.
March 20 - Lake Roosevelt Superintendent issues an update. Read here.
March 19 - Colville Business Council Chair Rodney Cawston writes a letter to the tribal member. Read more here.
Colville Business Council Press Release Link.
March 19 - Colville Administration announces essential employees, limited services to continue through shutdown. Read more here.
March 18 - Colville Tribes Announces Partial Government Shutdown to Address COVID-19 Virus PDF.
March 17 - Colville Indian Health Change in Operations. Read more here.
March 16 - Colville Executive Director announces travel ban for employees, mandatory sick leave. Read more here.
March 16 - Due to COVID-19 concerns, DOI’s Probate Hearings will be held via telephone, per memorandum issued, March 16. Read more here.
March 16 - The Colville Business Council has issued a Public Health Emergency Declaration. Read more here.
March 3 - Colville Tribes Calls into Action Administrative Teams to Address COVID-19. PDF